ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE [AI] IS NOT USED, IN WHOLE OR IN PART, IN PREPARING NYPPL SUMMARIES OF JUDICIAL AND QUASI-JUDICIAL DECISIONS

September 16, 2023

Justia's list of the most popular New York Law Blawgs "for all time"

Justia's lists 2,321 lawblogs in the United States, which includes 296 New York lawblogs. Justia's September 16, 2023 national rank of the 20 most popular New York's lawblogs for "all time" are shown below: 

Real Estate Law Blog [Feed]
Includes news, cases and commentary on real estate and property law in New York and nationwide. By Newman Ferrara LLP.
Last Updated: September 15, 2023 - Rank this Week: 5
 
New York Supreme Court Criminal Term Library [Feed]
News and information gateway to web based services provided by the New York State Supreme Court Criminal Term Library in New York County.
Last Updated: December 14, 2010 - Rank this Week: 26
 
New York Public Personnel Law [Feed]
Provides summary and commentary on selected court and administrative decisions and related matters affecting public employers and employees in New York State. By Harvey Randall, Esq.
Last Updated: September 15, 2023 - Rank this Week: 36
 
New York Attorney Malpractice Blog [Feed]
Covers legal malpractice basics, cases and news. By Andrew Lavoott Bluestone.
Last Updated: September 15, 2023 - Rank this Week: 125
 
New York Criminal Lawyer Blog [Feed]
Covers New York criminal law topics such as criminal procedure, DWI and traffic offenses, drugs and narcotics, fraud related offenses, and violent crimes. By Jeremy Saland.
Last Updated: August 5, 2023 - Rank this Week: 142
 
Copyright Litigation Blog [Feed]
Review of copyright law, copyright litigation, art litigation and relevant current events. Discussions of recent case law and federal rules of civil procedure. By Ray Dowd.
Last Updated: July 11, 2020 - Rank this Week: 151
 
Criminal Law Library Blog [Feed]
Covers criminal law, information technology and news for law librarians. By David Badertscher.
Last Updated: September 15, 2023 - Rank this Week: 165
 
Clancco: Art & Law [Feed]
Covers the relationship between art and law with a focus on intellectual property, nonprofit tax-exempt organizations, free speech, and contemporary art. By Sergio Muñoz Sarmiento.
Last Updated: March 28, 2022 - Rank this Week: 182
 
Coverage Counsel [Feed]
Covers New York insurance coverage cases and issues. By Roy A. Mura.
Last Updated: June 29, 2023 - Rank this Week: 244
 
New York Law Notes [Feed]
Provides a summary of an Appellate Division case of special interest to New York practitioners.
Last Updated: September 14, 2023 - Rank this Week: 250
 
New York Personal Injury Law Blog [Feed]
Covers the civil justice system, New York Courts, injury law cases and news. By Eric Turkewitz.
Last Updated: June 18, 2021 - Rank this Week: 286
 
Sui Generis--a New York law blog [Feed]
Offers commentary on civil rights issues, recent decisions and other areas of interest to New York civil litigators and criminal practitioners. By Nicole L. Black.
Last Updated: September 12, 2023 - Rank this Week: 290
 
CFTC Law [Feed]
Covers futures, commodities and forex regulation. By Shipkevich Law Firm.
Last Updated: September 13, 2023 - Rank this Week: 345
 
Securities Law Blog [Feed]
Features news, commentary and thoughts on the law of the securities markets. By Mark Astarita.
Last Updated: September 15, 2023 - Rank this Week: 354
 
Whistleblower News [Feed]
Cover qui tam law and the process of bringing a case. By Getnick & Getnick.
Last Updated: September 15, 2023 - Rank this Week: 370
 
Immigration News Blog [Feed]
Covers immigration law, news and commentary. By Matthew L. Kolken.
Last Updated: April 11, 2019 - Rank this Week: 423
 
New York Business Divorce [Feed]
Covers dissolution and other disputes among New York corporations, LLCs and partnerships. By Peter A. Mahler.
Last Updated: September 11, 2023 - Rank this Week: 445
 
NY Divorce Attorney Blog [Feed]
Covers New York divorce law. By David Centeno.
Last Updated: May 11, 2023 - Rank this Week: 452
 
Restaurant Worker News Blog [Feed]
Covers employment law issues in the restaurant industry. By Berke-Weiss & Pechman LLP.
Last Updated: December 22, 2017 - Rank this Week: 458
 
New York Criminal Lawyer Blog [Feed]
Covers criminal law topics. By Stephen Bilkis & Associates
Last Updated: October 8, 2019 - Rank this Week: 461
 
Click HERE to access the complete list of "New York Blawgs" listed by Justia.

 

 

 
 

September 15, 2023

Attorneys invited to consider a career in public service with the State of New York

The New York State Department of Civil Service invites attorneys to consider a career in public service with the State of New York. 

For information about current employment opportunities click HERE.

Municipal and School Audits released by New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli

On September 14, 2023, New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli announced the following local government and school audits were issued.

Click on the text highlighted in color to access an Executive Summary of the Audit Report and a link to the complete text of the Audit Report

 

East Hampton Union Free School District – Network and Financial Application Access and Information Technology (IT) Contingency Planning (Suffolk County)

School district officials secured user account access to the financial application but did not secure user account access to the network or develop an IT contingency plan. This increases the risk of unauthorized access, lost data, and inability to recover from a network disruption. In addition, the district’s use of two central network management tools for over 10 years has created security concerns due to lack of monitoring of all accounts on both tools. Also, auditors found 91% of the district’s enabled network user accounts were not logged into in the last six months. Accounts grant access to sensitive information, and unneeded accounts should be disabled to protect data. Lastly, officials also did not provide IT security awareness training to district IT users.

 

Dutchess Board of Cooperative Educational Services (BOCES) – Electricity Contract Monitoring and Billing (Dutchess County)

BOCES officials did not monitor electricity rates to ensure they were at the lowest possible cost or ensure that invoices for electricity usage were accurate. Had officials monitored the electricity rates and ensured the utility bills were accurate, officials may have reduced BOCES electricity supply expenses by almost 50%, or approximately $172,000, during the 28-month audit period.

 

Town of Venice – Supervisor’s Financial Records and Reports (Cayuga County)

The supervisor’s accounting records were not complete, accurate or up to date. Of the 39 cash receipts totaling $6.1 million, and 36 cash disbursements totaling $124,391 reviewed: 20 cash receipts totaling $3.1 million either did not match bank deposits or lacked adequate support documentation, 25 cash receipts totaling $4.8 million were not recorded on time in the supervisor’s accounting records, 11 disbursements totaling $39,038 were not recorded in the accounting records, and eight disbursements totaling $33,021 lacked adequate support documentation and were not board approved. Furthermore, bank reconciliations for 15 of the 36 months reviewed were not performed, and the town’s 2020 required annual update document (AUD) was filed 310 days late. The 2021 and 2022 AUDs were not filed. The supervisor also did not present financial records and reports to the board for audit, as required.

 

Onondaga County – Sexual Harassment Prevention (SHP) Training (S9-23-8)

SHP training was provided to employees and elected officials. However, of the 250 total individuals  tested (227 selected employees and all 23 elected officials), 14 employees, or 6%, of employees tested did not complete the annual SHP training.

 

Town of Southold – Sexual Harassment Prevention (SHP) Training (Suffolk County)

SHP training was provided to employees and elected officials. However, of the 45 total individuals tested (26 selected employees and all 19 elected officials), six employees and 10 elected officials did not complete the annual SHP training. Additionally, of the 423 total town employees and elected officials tested, 10 justice court employees, 38 police department employees and the town historian were excluded from the SHP training.

 

Town of New Hartford – Sexual Harassment Prevention (SHP) Training (Oneida County)

SHP training was provided to employees and elected officials. However, of the 20 total individuals tested (11 selected employees and all nine elected officials), three employees and six elected officials did not complete the annual SHP Training. Additionally, the town excluded new hires at the highway department who started after April’s scheduled session from SHP training.

 

Village of Lynbrook – Sexual Harassment Prevention (SHP) Training (Nassau County)

SHP training was provided to employees and elected officials. However, of the 35 total individuals tested (28 selected employees and all seven elected officials), six employees (21%) did not complete the annual SHP training.

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September 12, 2023

Selected links to judicial and administrative decisions involving an employee's "absence" from work

An employee's absence from work may be based on various reasons or excuses alleged or claimed by the individual. Below are a number common absences from work that served as the genesis for litigation in New York courts.

Accruing vacation and sick leave credits during leave for ordered military leave

Alleged abused the school district’s leave provisions, http://www.counsel.nysed.gov/Decisions/volume39/d14280.htm

Applying the provisions of Civil Service Law §§71, 72 and 73

Determining the compensation to be paid a teacher absent from work when “school is in recess”

Extension of the probationary period as the result of absence during the probationary period

Employee’s reporting feeling “tired, lethargic, fatigue-ish and ill” insufficient notice to trigger the protections of the FMLA

Filing disciplinary charges against an employee where the absence is due to an injury or disease

Negotiating paid religious holidays  

Requiring employees absent on sick leave to be examined by a physician designated by the employer before returning from such leave

Uninterrupted Civil Service Law §72 absence for one year or more permits termination of employee pursuant to §73 of the Civil Service Law

Workers’ compensation leave pursuant to Civil Service Law Section 71

NYPPL's E-book focusing on disability leave for fire, police and other public sector personnel is available for purchase from BookLocker. For information and access to a free excerpt of the material presented in this e-book, Click HERE

In addition, the New York State Workers’ Compensation Board continues to offer its webinar series for workers and their advocates. Workers’ Comp 202: Best Practices to Access Benefits for Workers, A presentation by the Office of the Advocate for Injured Workers.  Webinars currently scheduled are listed below.

The sessions are free and time for questions is provided.

Tuesday, October 2, 2023
10:00 A.M. - 11:30 A.M.
Register here

Wednesday, December 13, 2023
10:00 A.M. - 11:30 A.M.
Register here

Topics include:

  • Understanding labor market attachment
  • Details on benefit periods and how benefit rates are calculated
  • The importance of items such as the degree of disability and the Carrier Continue Payments (CCP) order
  • How advocates can help workers and comply with privacy provisions
  • The Workers’ Compensation Board’s New York Medical Treatment Guidelines, and more!

 

September 10, 2023

Municipal and School Audits released by New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli

On September 8, 2023 New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli announced the following local government and school audits were issued.

Click on the text highlighted in color to access both summary and the complete audit report.

City of Niagara Falls – Sexual Harassment Prevention (SHP) Training (Niagara County)

SHP training was not provided to all employees and elected officials. Of the 65 total individuals auditors tested (59 selected employees and all six elected officials), 14 employees, or 24% of employees tested, and five elected officials did not complete the annual SHP Training. Additionally, the fire department cancelled the annual SHP Training for all 131 of its uniformed personnel.

 

City of Watertown – Sexual Harassment Prevention Training (Jefferson County)

SHP training was provided to employees and elected officials. However, there was a general lack of monitoring to ensure the SHP training was completed by all employees and the city’s training completion records were unreliable. As a result, officials have no assurance that all individuals who should have completed the 2021 SHP training did so.

 

Cold Spring Harbor Central School District – Capital Assets (Suffolk and Nassau Counties)

District officials did not properly record, tag and account for capital asset purchases. As a result, the district has an increased risk that its assets could be lost, misused or stolen. Auditors found: the assistant superintendent for business did not maintain an inventory of capital assets that had a minimum value of $500; 67 capital assets totaling $171,438 were not properly identified or recorded; and the purchasing department did not prepare and distribute unique identification tags for capital assets that were purchased during the audit period.

 

Eldred Central School District – Sexual Harassment Prevention Training (Orange and Sullivan Counties)

SHP training was not provided to all employees or board members and because the district’s training completion records are unreliable, officials have no assurance all individuals required to complete the 2021 SHP training did so. Additionally, the district excluded new hires, and per diem employees from SHP training.

 

Kiryas Joel Village Union Free School District – Network User Account and Shared Network Folder Access (Orange County)

District officials did not adequately secure user account access to the network and shared network folders to help safeguard personal, private and sensitive (PPSI) information. As a result, there is an increased risk of unauthorized access to the network and PPSI stored on shared network folders. Auditors found that officials did not: disable 35 unnecessary former employee shared and service network user accounts, which comprise 11% of the district’s enabled accounts; adequately secure shared network folder access, resulting in users having unnecessary access to multiple forms of PPSI in eight shared folders; or maintain a data inventory to properly protect information technology resources, including data containing PPSI.

 

Lansing Fire District – Investment Program (Tompkins County)

Auditors found the board of fire commissioners did not develop and adopt a comprehensive written investment policy as required by state law. The district earned interest totaling approximately $9,000 from its savings account, which had an average daily balance of approximately $3.8 million during the audit. However, the district could have earned approximately $70,000, or $61,000 more had officials used other available investment options. Officials did not consider other legally permissible investment options or formally solicit interest rate quotes that may have resulted in higher interest earnings.

 

Persistence Preparatory Academy Charter School – Credit Cards (Erie County)

Credit card charges reviewed by auditors were not properly approved or adequately supported, and nearly all the charges lacked support to show they were for a valid school purpose. Auditors reviewed transactions totaling $117,567 and determined that almost 98% lacked documentation to demonstrate the charge’s necessity or the school-related purpose of the charge. For example, charges totaling $22,276 included grocery, alcohol and restaurant purchases, and food purchases for “going away parties,” a teacher’s bridal shower and staff holiday parties. Additionally, the board treasurer did not review credit card charges in a timely manner.

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CAUTION

Subsequent court and administrative rulings, or changes to laws, rules and regulations may have modified or clarified or vacated or reversed the information and, or, decisions summarized in NYPPL. For example, New York State Department of Civil Service's Advisory Memorandum 24-08 reflects changes required as the result of certain amendments to §72 of the New York State Civil Service Law to take effect January 1, 2025 [See Chapter 306 of the Laws of 2024]. Advisory Memorandum 24-08 in PDF format is posted on the Internet at https://www.cs.ny.gov/ssd/pdf/AM24-08Combined.pdf. Accordingly, the information and case summaries should be Shepardized® or otherwise checked to make certain that the most recent information is being considered by the reader.
THE MATERIAL ON THIS WEBSITE IS FOR INFORMATION ONLY. AGAIN, CHANGES IN LAWS, RULES, REGULATIONS AND NEW COURT AND ADMINISTRATIVE DECISIONS MAY AFFECT THE ACCURACY OF THE INFORMATION PROVIDED IN THIS LAWBLOG. THE MATERIAL PRESENTED IS NOT LEGAL ADVICE AND THE USE OF ANY MATERIAL POSTED ON THIS WEBSITE, OR CORRESPONDENCE CONCERNING SUCH MATERIAL, DOES NOT CREATE AN ATTORNEY-CLIENT RELATIONSHIP.
NYPPL Blogger Harvey Randall served as Principal Attorney, New York State Department of Civil Service; Director of Personnel, SUNY Central Administration; Director of Research, Governor’s Office of Employee Relations; and Staff Judge Advocate General, New York Guard. Consistent with the Declaration of Principles jointly adopted by a Committee of the American Bar Association and a Committee of Publishers and Associations, the material posted to this blog is presented with the understanding that neither the publisher nor NYPPL and, or, its staff and contributors are providing legal advice to the reader and in the event legal or other expert assistance is needed, the reader is urged to seek such advice from a knowledgeable professional.
New York Public Personnel Law. Email: publications@nycap.rr.com